September 3rd,2010

Rep. Ron Paul Texas Straight Talk: Iraq – An End or an Escalation?

Allison Bricker

OFFICIAL STATEMENT – Amid much fanfare last week, the last supposed “combat” troops left Iraq as the administration touted the beginning of the end of the Iraq War and a change in the role of the United States in that country. Considering the continued public frustration with the war effort, and with the growing laundry list of broken promises, this was merely another one of the administration’s operations in political maneuvering and semantics in order to convince an increasingly war-weary public that the Iraq War is at last ending. However, military officials confirm that we are committed to intervention in that country for years to come, and our operations have in fact, changed minimally, if really at all. [TRANSCRIPT]

Video Courtesy: MinnesotaChris
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Source(s): Representative Ron Paul, House WebsiteMinnesotaChris YouTube Channel

GOP Weekly Address, Senate Candidate Marco Rubio

The Smoking Argus

Republican Senate Candidate Lets us Know that Massive Federal Intervention into our Lives is Only Bad When Under the Control of Democrats.

Former Florida Speaker of the House and Republican Senatorial Candidate Marco Rubio delivers this week’s  “opposition” party’s remark’s. He outlines how due to massive intervention by the Federal Government, the great American experiment now finds itself navigating extremely troubled waters. However, talking out of the other side of his mouth, he promises to work towards repealing “ObamaCare” whilst simultaneously saddling Americans with the GOP’s version of Federal Intervention into healthcare, which should it come to pass will go on to be known as “BoehnerCare”.[TRANSCRIPT]

Video Courtesy: Republican National Committee
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GOP Weekly Remarks by Senate Candidate Marco Rubio: Federal Government is Only Destructive When Democrats are in Charge TRANSCRIPT (PDF 251KB)

Source(s): Republican National Committee YouTube Channel

President Obama: The End of Combat Operations in Iraq (is a Lie)

The Smoking Argus

—Begin Official Statement—

Weekly Address: President Obama: As the Combat Mission in Iraq Ends, We Must Pay Tribute to Those Who Have Served

WASHINGTON D.C. – In this week’s address, President Obama pledged to uphold the sacred trust the nation has with its troops and veterans as the combat mission in Iraq comes to an end. The administration is building a 21st century VA [Veterans Administration], making it easier for veterans with PTSD to receive the benefits they need, funding and implementing a Post-9/11 GI Bill, and devoting new resources to job training and placement to help those veterans looking for work in a tough economy.[TRANSCRIPT]

—End Official Statement—

Video Courtesy: The White House YouTube Channel
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President Obama Weekly Address: The End of Combat Operations in Iraq TRANSCRIPT (PDF 256kb)

Source(s): The White House, Briefing RoomThe White House YouTube Channel

Rep. Ron Paul: Abolish Government Loan Guarantees to Normalize Housing Market

Allison Bricker

Dr. Paul Cites Growing Momentum to Abolish Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but will government make Smaller Banks Act as New Proxy?

Cannon House Office BuildingIn his weekly Texas Straight Talk address, Representative Ron Paul discusses the growing momentum to abolish Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Nevertheless, Dr. Paul points out that this would be only the first step to allowing the housing market to normalize and that unless the people speak up, the Central Authority will merely seek to put indenture smaller banks to act as proxy agents to continued government backing of mortgage loans regardless of the borrowers ability to repay. [TRANSCRIPT]

Video: TheSmokingArgus
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Representative Ron Paul Texas Straight Talk for August 23rd, 2010 _TRANSCRIPT (PDF 252kb)

GOP Weekly Remarks by Rep. Djou (HI): Cut Spending No New taxes

Allison Bricker

GOP Enlists Robotic Talking Representative to Repeat 1988 Mantra of No “New” Taxes in hopes of Taking Back Congress…

Newly elected Congressional Representative Charles Djou pays lip-service to the growing dissatisfaction with “both” political parties, out of control spending in Washington D.C., and the ramifications of offsetting massive government deficit spending via tax increases. His solution of course is to put Republicans back in control of Congress; so the soap-opera of Red Sox v. Yankees may continue while the Republic goes down the drain. [TRANSCRIPT]


Video Courtesy: GOP House Conference
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GOP Weekly Remarks by Rep. Charles Djou (HI-1) Cut Spending No New Taxes – TRANSCRIPT (PDF 260kb)

Source(s): House Republican Conference YouTube Channel

President Obama: No Corporate Takeover of Our Democracy

Allison Bricker

—BEGIN OFFICIAL STATEMENT—

Weekly Address: President Obama Challenges Politicians Benefiting from Citizens United Ruling to Defend Corporate Influence in Our Elections

WASHINGTON D.C. – In this week’s address, the President urged Republican leaders in Congress to end their obstruction of a bipartisan bill that will reduce the influence wielded by corporations and foreign entities. The President vowed to continue the fight for reform and transparency, and said elected officials who benefit from corporate or foreign-funded ads should either defend the ads or join the bipartisan effort to stop them.[TRANSCRIPT]

—END OFFICIAL STATEMENT—

Video Courtesy: The White House YouTube Channel
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President Obama Weekly Address: No Corporate Takeover of Our Democracy -TRANSCRIPT (PDF – 612kb)

Source(s): The White House, Office of the Press SecretaryThe White House YouTube Channel

Senator Jon Kyl: Economic Recovery and Creating Jobs

The Smoking Argus

— BEGIN OFFICIAL STATEMENT—

Russel Senate RotundaHello. I’m Senate Republican Whip Jon Kyl of Arizona.

The effects of the ongoing economic slump have been severe and have touched all Americans. Too many people have lost jobs; others are working reduced hours or for lower pay. The latest report shows that unemployment has stubbornly stayed at just below 10 percent. Nearly four million workers have lost their jobs since President Obama took office.

The American people have been telling Washington that promoting job growth must be the first priority. But, for more than a year, Congress and the President have focused instead on a controversial health spending bill which a majority of Americans said they didn’t want. [FULL TRANSCRIPT]

—END OFFICIAL STATEMENT—

Video Courtesy: GOP Weekly Address
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Source(s): Republican National CommitteeGOP Weekly Address YouTube Channel

President Obama: Relief for the Middle Class at Tax Time

The Smoking Argus

—BEGIN OFFICIAL STATEMENT—

Weekly Address: Recovery Act Benefiting American Families During Tax Season

The White HouseWASHINGTON D.C. – In his weekly address, President Barack Obama spoke to the American people about how to take advantage of Recovery Act tax benefits ahead of Tax Day – April 15, 2010. Largely due to the Recovery Act, the average tax refund is up nearly 10 percent this year. One-third of the Recovery Act was made up of tax cuts – tax cuts that have already provided more than $160 billion in relief for families and businesses, and nearly $100 billion of that directly into the pockets of working Americans. To help taxpayers see for themselves exactly how they can benefit from Recovery Act tax credits and collect every dollar owed when they file this tax season, the White House launched a new interactive Tax Savings Tool available at www.WhiteHouse.gov/Recovery. [FULL TRANSCRIPT]

—END OFFICIAL STATEMENT—

Video Courtesy: The White House YouTube Channel
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Source(s): The White House Briefing RoomThe White House YouTube Channel

Prof. Kevin Gutzman Demystifies the Article V Constitutional Convention

Allison Bricker

Picture of the U.S. ConstitutionATLANTA, GEORGIA – Kurt Wallace, Editor and Publisher of the liberty news aggregation website LibertyPulse, sat down with Professor Kevin Gutzman to help set the record straight regarding some of the misconceptions surrounding what is known as an Article V Convention. Also referred to as a “con-con” by those opposed to the process, an Article  V Convention was primarily inserted into the U.S. Constitution as a fail-safe the states could turn to should the federal government overstep its delegated Constitutional authority. Professor Gutzman, Thomas Woods from the Mises Institute, and several other notables from the Liberty Movement will be joining Sirius talkshow host Mike Church to discuss the matter in greater detail. The Smoking Argus hopes to be able to stream the event live as it the discussion continues this Friday, April 9th from Washington D.C.

The interview with Professor Gutzman runs approximately 24 minutes in length.


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Rep. Ron Paul: Government Obstructs Energy Independence

The Smoking Argus

Government and Gasoline

Cannon House Office BuildingAs we head into the summer driving season and gasoline prices are again creeping up, the administration has announced plans to explore opening up more off-shore areas for exploration and drilling. On the one hand this can be lauded as a positive step. On the other hand, it is too little, much too late to have any meaningful or long-term effect on what Americans pay at the pump any time soon, if at all.

Indeed, if increasing domestic energy production was really a priority, the administration would direct the EPA to remove its many roadblocks and barriers to energy production. In fact, abolishing the EPA altogether would do much to improve our country’s economy. Instead of protecting the environment as they are supposed to do, most of what they do simply chills the economy. Polluters should be directly liable in court to any and all parties they harm, rather than bureaucrats at the EPA. [Full Transcript]

Video Courtesy: Minnesota Chris
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Source(s): Representative Ron Paul’s House Webpage • MinnesotaChris YouTube Channel